If you want to know if it is a fair price for your area and this time of the year, simply get two or three more bids.

I totally get where you’re coming from—I moved from LA to Columbus two years ago for the same reason.

As for the third target market, Sacramento is close to you, it's a state capitol, relatively inexpensive, two major universities, great local culture...

For example, if your driveway only fits two cars, you need to know if tenants plan to bring several vehicles, as this could lead to parking violations and HOA fines.Don’t forget to screen pets, too!

While the market can go up or down in either investment, Real Estate is the only one of the two that offers income opportunities through rental income, that stocks don't, and can often help ride out the storm of market fluxes.Also, the Greater Phoenix market (that includes Scottsdale) historically nets 65K+ Californians per year. 

We have two young boys who also enjoy Japan and hoping we can all begin to learn the language and possibly enroll them into an International School during the summers.

For example, if the typical rent per unit is $1,500 (3bd 2ba), my landlord at the time would have one unit with three rooms and four people within the unit (one person per room and one room with two people), each paying around $500.

And start the two year clock ticking again. 

I am using RentRedi property management for my two single family rentals.

It will take two months to turn it around and get it rented.